Art and Design Mission and Goals

Art and Design Philosophy

The Department of Art and Design believes it is essential to cultivate an environment that encourages aesthetic awareness, historical consciousness, critical analysis, and an appreciation for the role of art in a comprehensive education.

Art and Design Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Art and Design is to maintain an educational setting that fosters creativity, analytical thinking, critical discourse and innovation through a commitment to the following:

Technical and conceptual proficiency in the chosen area of concentration within the Department

Technical and conceptual knowledge in the various areas of concentration within the Department

An emphasis on critical thinking and creative production through the continued development of analytical, formal, and conceptual skills

An understanding of the creation, production, and interpretation of art across cultural and historical contexts

This mission is realized within the context of a comprehensive liberal arts university.

The Arcadia University Art Gallery Mission Statement

The Arcadia University Art Gallery is a nationally recognized showcase for contemporary art located 12 miles north of Center City Philadelphia. Within the hybrid context defined by an Art History concentration within a liberal arts college and an active regional community of working artists and arts professionals, the Gallery’s mission is to

Provide a cultural resource that encourages dialogue about visual art among artists, the public, educators and students.

Support artistic excellence and diversity on both a national and a local level and define and clarify issues pertinent to contemporary practice.

Seek to foster greater accessibility and understanding of the art of our time and to have a voice in the dialogue concerning its socio-cultural relevance.

Art and Design Overall Goals, Objectives, and Practices

Our goal is to provide a learning environment in each of our classes that will

Cultivate critical inquiry, analysis and reflection.

Embrace and integrate liberal arts education.

Foster self-motivation.

Encourage each student’s sense of his or her individual vision and potential.

Develop effective visual, oral, and written communication skills.

Develop a working understanding of and competency with materials and techniques.

Acquire a foundation in art history and its methodologies.

Provide professional, safe, clean, and accessible facilities.

Provide initiatives and opportunities for professional practices.

Provide a network for students, faculty and alumni to engage in continuing dialogue.

Under most circumstances, Art History and studio courses are open to all students. However, for students not majoring in Art and Design, FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I, or FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II or FA 104 Drawing I, and either AH 111 Renaissance to Modern Art or AH 112 Egyptian to Medieval Art are prerequisites for advanced work, unless the student receives permission from the instructor. Certain 200-level studio courses fulfill non-major Undergraduate Curriculum requirements. No prerequisites are required for these courses.